DONG HOI

Dong Hoi is the capital city of Quang Binh with the area of 155.71 km2. Dong Hoi owns the beauty of 12km-long coastline of while sand and crystal blue beaches with primitive culture and rich history.

A great mixture of local foods

Dong Hoi local cuisine is known for is vibrant and various flavors, cultural influences. Dong Hoi’s local food refers to food from all around the country of Hanoi, Hue, Danang, Nha Trang and Saigon. It is within these areas that food inspired by the most fascinating and complex flavors along the country’s cuisines.

The rich sauces and flavorful spices comprised in the local dishes actual brought up the best flavor of the traditional dishes. You can either wake up to a big treat of breakfast with Banh Canh – a thick Vietnamese noodle that can be made from tapioca flour or a mixture of rice and tapioca flour with fish or pork ribs or go straight to the brunch with local clay pot of rice with a table full of traditional side dishes.

Don’t forget to enjoy the coffee culture of Vietnamese by having it on the street coffee shop, browsing around before having ‘Banh Loc’ – the tapioca cake stuffed with shrimps, pork and mushrooms in the afternoon.

Quang Binh Citadel

Quang Binh Citadel is located in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh Province. It is a complex of high fences and towers, forming a fortress that protected the kings and the capital of the Nguyen dynasty since 1630. The citadel is 1500 m away from Nhat Le beach; it is adjacent to Nhat Le River on the east side and the forest on the west side. Quang Binh citadel held an important position in many periods of the country’s history. In 1885, when the French army attacked it, people and the soldiers defended and triumphantly won the battle, making the French retreat. During the Vietnam-France war from 1945 to 1954, the local inhabitants have also made several attacks at the citadel.

Nowadays, there is no more war in Vietnam, but the citadel still stands vividly as an honorable symbol of the brave country, attracting visitors from many places within the country and around the world.

Mother Suot Statue

Mother Nguyen Thi Suot (1906 – 1968), was a labor heroine in the Vietnam War, a 60-year-old woman who risked her life doggedly ferrying Vietnamese soldiers and artillery in a small wooden boat to the other side of the bank of Nhat Le River from the years 1964 – 1967.

When the US bombed the wharf and surrounding areas, all of the ferrymen left. Only Mother Suot bravely stayed to help the soldiers across the river regardless of how heavy the bombs rained down at the two wharves.

On October 11, 1968, Mother Suot was killed in the attack by two steel-pellet bombs from a U.S jet. Her name became known throughout the country and she was officially honored as a heroine of Vietnam afterwards.

Nowadays, the Mother Suot Statue stands proudly in a square next to Nhat Le River and has become a historical tourism place in Quang Binh. The statue is stone-crafted as a picture of the courageous Mother Suot as she was sailing across the river with soldiers on board.

Nhat Le Beach

Nhat Le Beach is a beach in Dong Hoi which is the capital of Quảng Bình Province, home to the World Heritage Site Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The beach is located on the mouth of the Nhật Lệ River as it empties into the East Sea. The beach is generally empty with a smattering of locals, a few hotels and restaurants, construction work, and a small play park for kids. As locals don’t like to go in the sun during the day, you’ll have the beach to yourself if you go at this time. The sand here is soft and fine, and the view is gorgeous. There is a four-star resort at the opposite bank of the river.

The beach is a perfect choice for everyone to come in the summertime and enjoy the sea and the sun. There are also many more night pubs and hostels open near the beach now and (weather permitting) it has led to a very lively atmosphere in public squares for both local people and tourists.

Recommended Time of Travelling

Dong Hoi doesn’t have a so extreme weather, the temperature stays in a proper number with the Summer fluctuates from 30 – 38 Degree Celsius while Winter comes down at 10 – 19 Degree Celsius. You are recommended to visit Dong Hoi in spring from February to April since it owns the best weather of the year but Dong Hoi always know how to treat you right depends on the seasons you arrive!

Directions

Dong Hoi is the capital city of Quang Binh province so the transportation is convenient. There are plenty of options; flights, buses or trains are available to cities throughout the country.